Improvement in horse hay-forks



w. R. REED. Horse Hay-Forks; N0;152,412, Patent-ed June 23,1874.

UNITED STATES PATENT Grrrcn WILLIAM R. REED, OF OHILLICOTHE, MISSOURI.

IMPROVEMENT IN HORSE HAY-FORKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 152,412 dated J 116 2 1 applic ti n filed March 27, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILLIAM It. REED, of Ohillicothe, in the county of Livingston and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Horse Hay-Forks, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing making part of same.

The invention relates to an improved horse hay-fork; and consists in the combination of devices hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of the invention is to provide a convenient device for elevating hay.

The accompanying drawing is a vertical central longitudinal section of a device embracing the elements of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents a case, at one end provided with the eye a, and at the other reduced to conform to the periphery of the point B, which projects below. Near the upper partof the case is provided the pivot b, which secures one end of the lever D between the sides of the case. Beyond the pivot 12 the lever is slotted parallel to the case, in which slot is pivoted the upper end of the draw-rod E, its lower end being secured between the upper ends of the plates of the shuttle F, which consists of two plates of proper form connected at each end, and sliding upon guides (Z c in the case A, passing through a vertical slot, h, at the center of the shuttle. The lower of these guides e operates also as a pivot for the teeth H, which are provided with the curved or inclined slots i, through which pass the guides lm, secured at each end in the sides of the shuttle F, adjacent or above the guide or pivot e. The teeth are recessed on opposite sides at their bases, so as to overlap, and are curved slightly upward on their upper edge. They may be placed opposite each other, or one above the other, as desired. The drawrod E is of such length that when the lever D is depressed the lower end of the shuttle F approaches near the base of the point B between the sides of the case A, It is obvious that the point B may be readily removed for grinding or other purposes by securing it to the case by means of screws or other detachable fastenings.

The device is properly suspended above the hay by a rope passed through the eye a. The lever D is then depressed, forcing down the shuttle F and closing the teeth H. The device is then dropped point downward, or otherwise forced into the hay above the teeth. The lever D is then elevated, raising the shuttle and causing the teeth to expand outward and upward. Power being applied to the rope, the hay above the teeth is drawn up with the elevation of the device.

hat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The double-sided shuttle F, open on each edge, and slotted vertically to receive the guides d e, the latter operating as a pivot for the teeth H, having the slots 2' between their bases and points, and folding within the shuttle, the parts being'combined substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing improvement in horse hay-forks, as above de scribed, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 14th day of March, 1874.

IVILLIAM B. REED.

itnesses JOHN P. Fmns'r, JOSEPH MINTEER. 

